'A living classroom': Inside one of the best school gardens in the world

Video report by ITV News Meridian's Kerry Swain

If you think of the location of the best gardens on the planet, Portsmouth might not come to mind.

However, a garden at Redwood Park Academy in Cosham has been listed as one of the top ten school gardens in the world.

Feeding the chickens with cucumbers they've grown themselves is a popular part of the curriculum.

Sieving soil they've created from decayed plant matter -  with permission to get muddy - another favourite lesson.

Most schools are circled by concrete and tarmac, but the pupils with complex needs are surrounded by flowers, fruits and vegetables.

Among the many subjects children learn out here are English, maths, science and geography.

Watch: What the pupils think of the garden

Redwood Park has been named one of the top ten school gardens in the world in a book written by a Californian landscape architecture professor.

Professor Claire Latane said: "So many of our schools are outdated and based on this industrialised notion of education from 100 years ago. Redwood Park is such an inspiration to so many of us because of what they're doing with really quite sparse resources."

Pumpkins and squashes grown by pupils are made into soups and stews for a homeless project in Southsea.

It is hoped this garden will inspire other schools to go green, embracing outdoor learning through nature.